A man has been jailed after a family in Oklahoma City woke to find an intruder lying in their 11-year-old son’s bed. The father found the stranger inside the house early on Saturday morning and police arrested the man on a first-degree burglary charge plus several misdemeanours. The suspect has a long criminal history and had been in a treatment court program, which raises questions about how he remained free.
Where it happened — Oklahoma City
Officers were called to a home in southwest Oklahoma City early on Saturday after an 11-year-old woke his father and said there was a man in his bed. The father checked and found a grown man under a blanket on the mattress.
Who was arrested — Charles Bradford
Police arrested 46-year-old Charles Bradford and booked him on a first-degree burglary charge plus five misdemeanours: breaking and entering, trespassing after being forbidden, two counts of assault and battery, and trespassing on private property. He is being held at the Cleveland County Detention Center on a $75,000 bond.
**Who reported it and the victim’s reaction — Josh Hodnik
Josh Hodnik said his son woke him and told him a man was in his bed. The father described shock, fear and anger. He told reporters he at first thought his son might be sleepwalking or mistaken, but then saw the man himself. Hodnik said the man had brought a blanket and was wearing one sock.
The suspect’s background and court status — Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office
Bradford has a long record, the father and police said, including multiple assault charges and larceny. In 2002 he was convicted of first-degree manslaughter for killing a cellmate while in prison. The DA’s office told local media that Bradford had been placed in a mental-health treatment court program known as DREAMS court because officials believed treatment and stability could help him. The program tries to keep certain people in treatment rather than prison, but committing a new crime can lead to removal from the program and prison time.
Where he is held — Cleveland County Detention Center
Bradford is jailed at the Cleveland County Detention Center on a $75,000 bond. Authorities said they will review his participation in the treatment court program given the new charges.
How neighbours and the community reacted
The father said he was angry and scared. He told reporters he felt the man should not have been free, given his past violence. Neighbours and local residents often react strongly to home invasions, especially those involving children. The family and community now want answers about how someone with Bradford’s record was out on the street.
What police say and next steps
Police arrested Bradford at the scene and charged him with the offences listed by investigators. The county prosecutor’s office will review the case and decide on formal filings and next steps. The DA’s office also said it will evaluate whether Bradford should remain in the DREAMS treatment court after allegedly committing this new crime.
Content overview
| Item | Short summary |
|---|---|
| Incident | Home invasion in which an intruder lay in an 11-year-old’s bed. |
| Arrest | Charles Bradford arrested on March 12; charged with burglary (1st degree) and five misdemeanours. |
| Victim | Father Josh Hodnik and his 11-year-old son; family traumatised. |
| Suspect history | Prior convictions including 2002 manslaughter; enrolled in DREAMS treatment court. |
| Detention | Held at Cleveland County Detention Center; bond $75,000. |
Why this matter is serious
- A stranger inside a child’s bedroom is one of the most frightening home crimes for any family.
- The suspect’s past violent record makes neighbours and the victim’s family worry about public safety.
- The case raises questions about treatment courts and when people with violent histories should be allowed into community programs.
- The legal process will decide whether the new charges remove the suspect from treatment court and return him to prison.
Quick timeline
- Friday night: children played outside; family believed front door was closed.
- Saturday morning: 11-year-old woke father saying a man was in his bed.
- Police arrived, arrested Bradford, and charged him.
- DA’s office says it will review his status in the treatment program after the new allegation.
What to watch next
- Formal charging documents from the DA’s office and any court dates.
- Whether prosecutors revoke Bradford’s place in the DREAMS treatment court and seek prison time.
- Any statements from the family about civil action or security changes at the home.
- Local reporting that may provide more details about how the suspect entered the home.
This case is upsetting because a family’s safety was violated and a child was directly involved. The man arrested, who has a serious criminal history, had been in a treatment court program that aims to help people stabilise — but the new burglary allegation now threatens that path and could return him to prison. The family’s fear and anger are understandable.
In the weeks ahead, prosecutors will decide whether to press the strongest possible charges, and the court will weigh evidence about how the intruder entered the house and what he intended. The outcome will test the balance between giving people help through treatment courts and protecting communities from repeat offenders. For the Hodnik family, the most important needs are clear answers, safety for their children, and accountability under the law.
